Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.
Photo: 123RF
A crash near Redwood Pass has left two people dead and three others in a critical condition.
Emergency Services were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am on Sunday.
Police said two people were dead at the scene.
Hato Hone St John sent four helicopters, three ambulances and two managers to the scene.
It said two people were airlifted to Wellington hospital in a critical condition, while another was taken taken to Christchurch hospital, also in a critical condition.
Police said the Serious Crash Unit had been advised.
The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to avoid the area until the incident site was cleared.
Those travelling between Marlborough and Canterbury were advised to detour via the inland route, with State Highway 1 closed.
The detour could add between two and three hours from Christchurch.
There is no current estimate for when State Highway 1 would reopen.
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